The Great Takeaway
dine and take.
an exceptional dining experience
Blending art, craft and dining for a unique experience.
The Great Takeaway is an innovative exploration of taste and discovery. Dining in one of Ballarat’s iconic heritage spaces, amongst some of the finest materials, textiles, glassware and ceramics produced in the Ballarat region – our guests shared a special meal and then were permitted to take their handcrafted settings home with them.
A ticketed event, the Great Takeaway is an exclusively tailored dinner for up to 60 guests who are seated in the exhibition display of Craft Lab in the heritage venue of the Mining Exchange to enjoy a three-course meal with drinks and entertainment.
The six tables are individually dressed by high-profile local ceramicists.
Each are supplying a commissioned handcrafted main and side plate. The plates are coupled with glassware and napkins.
The table settings are by Craft Lab curator Angela D’Alton.
Diners are seated at random at the dining tables, allocated a specific curated cutlery, plates and glassware set for the evening valued at more than $400 per setting.
The diners will experience a tailored menu designed by chef Douglas Kerr and Dan Tesoriero of Peasant Ballarat, responding to the design styles of the makers.
Diners will be able to see the collections in advance as they are displayed as part of the Craft Lab exhibition.
Shown here, the work of Minna Graham, a commissioned artist for The Great Takeaway 23. Image by Tony Evans, 2023
“The Great Takeaway is introducing people to the connection between craft practice and daily experience.”
The Great Takeaway linked diners to artists - creating an innovative moment where art, dining and experience collided. Image by Tony Evans (2023)
what WILL visitors experience?
Visitors are provided with a glass of sparkling wine on arrival and the opportunity to view Craft Lab alcoves and the displays. Diners enjoy an entrée, main course and dessert, served with paired wines or non-alcoholic beverages. They received a statement of authenticity as well as artist statements on the works provided. All diners leave the meal with their individual sets packaged up and provided to them at the close of the meal. The visitors will have the rare opportunity to meet with the makers of their works, discuss the artist’s motivations and creative direction.
Meals are served with paired wines by Peasant, glassware by Nick Doran Adams
At the close of the event all diners leave with a gift pack of their setting including glassware, ceramics and cutlery. (image Tony Evans 2023)
The commissioned artists
Work shown may not reflect the final collection.
Alec Robinson Alec is a Ballarat based ceramic artist who has been working with clay for over a decade, crafting pieces that blend minimalism with everyday function. His journey with ceramics began during his studies at Federation University, evolving into a lifelong passion. His work has been in many galleries, cafés, restaurants, and bars, from intimate local spots to interstate showcases. Alec enjoys producing forms whether sculpting a single bespoke piece or producing wholesale orders. When not immersed in his studio, Alec shares his expertise at RMIT, teaching in the Art, Design, and Architecture stream. With a rich background in education, he encourages his students to explore, refine, and express their unique personal style.
Lauren Matthews is an artist, activist, facilitator, and researcher. A multidisciplinary artist and presenter, Lauren brings a background in social work, public policy, and lived experience. She doesn't shy away from the taboo, using craft practice to challenge and explore domestic dichotomies and social issues. Lauren is also completing a PhD in Visual Arts at Federation University.
Born in Ballarat, Nick Doran Adams studied Visual Art, majoring in glass at the School of Art, ANU. After finishing his honours in 2014, Nick joined the Canberra-Glassworks community, working with various artists and acquiring diverse skills. In 2022, he moved to Melbourne to work with Ruth Allen in her Coburg studio. Inspired by memory and childhood, his early works explore video games like Super Mario Land and Pokémon, combined with traditional glass techniques. Nick's recent work focuses on reclaiming waste and exploring landscapes.
Accomplished local artist Barry Wemyss draws inspiration from his free-reining childhood and love for the natural environment. With extensive travels and local topographical influences, Barry melds observations to restrained ceramic forms with nuanced glazes. When midlife called for change, he pursued art school, degree studies, and teaching. With a degree, a travel award to Japan, and a residency in the Flinders Ranges, Barry's approach to art became a life-changing career. His work reflects Japanese culture and his Australian landscape upbringing. Now working from RedEchidnaStudios overlooking a bird-rich landscape, Barry believes art is vital to community wellbeing. His award-winning work appears in regional galleries and private collections worldwide
Marian Fox is a ceramic artist based in Ballarat, Australia. Working primarily with hand-built vessels, she explores form, texture, and surface treatments that merge contemporary aesthetics with influences from primitive art, nature, abstract expressionism, and street art. Her background in visual arts from Federation University informs her intuitive approach. Fox embraces experimentation, using color and mark-making to accentuate scale and contours. Her pieces are often monumental yet minimal, with irregular forms challenging tradition. Her ceramics are held in private collections across Australia and Europe, and the Federation University collection. She has exhibited in France and Korea
Born in Melbourne, Jan's artistic journey began on the Mornington Peninsula, where she connected with nature's rhythms. After settling near Ballarat in 2000, her ceramics journey began in 2015 at Federation University under Peter Pilven. She completed her Graduate Diploma of Ceramics in 2022, earning commendations and awards. Jan works between her home studio and Federation University as an Honorary Alumni Artist. Since 17, Jan has explored meditation and yoga, completing a Diploma of Yoga Training in 2016, which informs her creative process. Inspired by travels through Asia and East Asian ceramics, she pursues balance between function and sculptural presence. Her works have been exhibited in Ballarat, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Based in Central Victoria, Minna Graham specializes in functional ceramics and tea-ware. After completing a Diploma of Ceramics at University of Ballarat in 2012, she received the Brian McLellan Award for Outstanding Achievement. Her work features in galleries like Craft Victoria and Sturt Gallery. As a founding member of Clayspace, Minna studied Karatsu teaware in Japan and traditional techniques in Myanmar, East Timor, and Cambodia. She received the Albert Coates Memorial Award, the INCA Award for Innovation, and was the 2024 Featured Ceramic Artist at Warrandyte Pottery Expo. Minna creates sculptural vessels and tableware for galleries throughout Australia
Steph Wallace is a ceramic artist working on Wadawurrung country in Ballarat, Victoria. Born in the UK, her practice combines traditional techniques with experimental approaches to reflect cultural identity complexities. Wallace has a BA in Ceramics from Edinburgh College of Art and studied at Leeds Arts University. She has lectured at Federation University and co-founded the Ballarat Clay Collective. Her works appear in public collections including the Art Gallery of Ballarat and Federation University. Wallace has received the Ballarat Art Foundation Award and been a finalist in multiple national ceramic awards. Her work has featured in Forbes, The Age, and the Journal of Australian Ceramics.
terms and conditions
Diners are allocated seats and, where possible, groups will be seated together. However, no guarantee can be made that all groups will be seated on the same tables.
Allocation is randomised. Diners cannot choose their selected tables.
Each of the allocated dining sets are numbered. At the close of the dinner the sets will be washed and packed for diners to take home. Settings consist of one commissioned ceramic dining plate and ceramic side plate, handcrafted wine and water glass and one set of cutlery.
The menus are fixed for each table and we would request that if you have specific dietary requirements, please make this known through the ticket purchase process.
Diners will be expected to keep hold of their glassware, cutlery and plates throughout the duration of the meal. Dishes will be served which will respond to the available plate size and style.
The Great Takeaway reserves the right to cancel the experience should the program not proceed.
Diners can cancel their ticket up to 7 days prior to the Great Takeaway. Unfortunately, refunds cannot be given on cancellations made less than 7 days prior to the event.